Three Nigerians have been sentenced in the United States for their roles in a fraud conspiracy that scammed elderly and vulnerable victims, amassing over $2 million between 2017 and 2022, according to authorities.
- Fatai Okunola, 38, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, was sentenced to just over 10 years in prison for conspiracy and money laundering and ordered to pay more than $730,000 in restitution. His sentences for making false statements during naturalization and money laundering will run concurrently.
- Oluwaseyi Adeola, 34, of Dallas, Texas, received a nearly three-year prison sentence and must pay approximately $410,000 in restitution.
- Ijeoma Adeola, 36, also of Dallas, was sentenced to three years of probation for misprision of a felony and ordered to pay nearly $49,000 in restitution.
The scheme involved collaboration with Nigerian-based co-conspirators who created fake personas to target victims via social media, text messages, and phone calls. The victims, many of whom were elderly, were tricked into sending funds to the U.S.-based defendants, who facilitated the transfer of money to Nigerian partners through bank accounts, P.O. boxes, and shell businesses.
Funds were also used by Okunola to assist others in purchasing cars in the U.S. and shipping them to Nigeria.
U.S. Attorney Mark Totten condemned the scheme, noting its devastating impact:
“Financial fraud is not a ‘faceless’ crime — and today’s sentencings help secure a measure of justice for the victims of this international fraud scheme. Some victims lost their retirement savings, took loans against their homes, or suffered other financial distress because of the defendants’ lies.”
This case highlights the ongoing efforts to combat international financial crimes and protect vulnerable populations from exploitation.
